It started with notebooks, but that wasn’t the master plan.
I have some of those tiny keyboards, but the PinePhone keyboard case is far more convenient to use as a mini on the go PC than a separate keyboard. If such an all in one option existed for more powerful hardware it would be amazing. I love the idea of a phone that doubles as a true pocket laptop including connectivity options.
I love the idea of a phone that doubles as a true pocket laptop including connectivity options.
I haven’t looked recently, but you might try looking at Japan. They were way ahead of the US in the palmtop form factor. I remember boggling at what they had on the market – albeit expensive – about twenty years ago.
Japan has also been well below the US in personal computer ownership. My guess as to explaining those two facts – lack of personal computers, but availability of palmtops – is that a big part of available computer use time in Japan might be when someone is on mass transit. They’re willing to pay a premium for something usable there.
googles
I’m not seeing anything likely in a quick search, but there are some more-recent “UMPC” form factor devices from various companies that look kinda similar. Larger than the palmtops, so might be what you’re thinking of.
I have seen the GPD devices before and if they were a bit smaller (phone sized) and had cell capability maybe that would be a good option. As is, they are not small enough to be in a separate category than the Steam Deck IMO, and I already have a Steam Deck. I also like the idea of the keyboard being detachable as sometimes the phone form factor is desirable, like when holding it up to your ear.
Yup. All I need from a phone is:
- calls - includes decent audio (looking at you Pinephone Pro)
- texts - MMS group chat is a must
- data
- like 2 Android apps with low requirements (for me, it’s Okta and Slack for work)
- all day battery doing the above
If I could get that and be able to run full desktop applications when docked, I’m sold. The Pinephone Pro looks super cool, but I’m not sure if MMS works and battery life is apparently pretty bad. I don’t even need a decent camera, though gaming a camera is useful to capture QR codes and whatnot.
I’m looking at getting a Pixel to use GrapheneOS, but I’d buy a framework phone with good hardware if it was available.
